HPV infection and its correlation with p53 and Bcl-2 among pregnant mothers and their infants.

The investigation of perinatal transmission of HPV is vital for early screening of cervical/oral cancers. Here, transmission of HPV from the pregnant women to their infants was studied. p53 and Bcl-2 expressions and their correlations with HPV infection were examined.

Liposome-encapsulated glycyrrhizin alleviates hyperglycemia and glycation-induced iron-catalyzed oxidative reactions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Glycyrrhizin, a bioactive constituent of has been reported to ameliorate diabetes. Here, the effects of liposome-encapsulated glycyrrhizin on STZ-induced diabetes and associated oxidative stress were investigated. Wistar rats were grouped as control (NC, received placebo), diabetic (DC, STZ-induced), diabetic treated with free glycyrrhizin (DTG, 3 i.

Glycyrrhiza glabra alcoholic root extract ameliorates hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and glycation-induced free iron-mediated oxidative reactions.

Hyperglycemia-associated oxidative stress leads to various pathophysiological complications in diabetes mellitus. Here, the effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) root extract of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic changes and the associated free iron-mediated oxidative reactions were investigated.

Effect of ginseng therapy on diabetes and its chronic complications: lessons learned.

Ginseng played a significant role in the management of diabetes in China and in other Asian countries for a long period of time. It has a large number of pharmacological properties and is relatively free from adverse effects. As a part of Ontario Ginseng Research and Innovation Consortium, we investigated the effects of ginseng extract on diabetes and its complications.

North American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) prevents hyperglycemia and associated pancreatic abnormalities in diabetes.

North American ginseng (NAG) has received increasing attention as an alternative medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Extract of the NAG root has been reported to possess antidiabetic properties, but the underlying mechanisms for such effects have not been identified. Here we investigated the effects of NAG root extract on type 1 and 2 diabetes and the underlying mechanisms involved for such effects.

High glucose induced alteration of SIRTs in endothelial cells causes rapid aging in a p300 and FOXO regulated pathway.

In diabetes, some of the cellular changes are similar to aging. We hypothesized that hyperglycemia accelerates aging-like changes in the endothelial cells (ECs) and tissues leading to structural and functional damage. We investigated glucose-induced aging in 3 types of ECs using senescence associated β-gal (SA β-gal) staining and cell morphology.

Preventive effects of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) on diabetic retinopathy and cardiomyopathy.

Ginseng (Araliaceae) has multiple pharmacological actions because of its diverse phytochemical constituents. The aims of the present study are to evaluate the preventive effects of North American ginseng on diabetic retinopathy and cardiomyopathy and to delineate the underlying mechanisms of such effects. Models of both type 1 (C57BL/6 mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes) and type 2 diabetes (db/db mice) and age-matched and sex-matched controls were examined.

Preventive effects of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) on diabetic nephropathy.

Purpose: Ginseng has been used as an herbal medicine and nutritional supplement in East Asia for thousands of years and gained popularity in the west because of its various pharmacological properties. Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng) and Panax quinquefolium (North American ginseng) both are reported to possess antihyperglycemic properties. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the preventive effects of North American ginseng on diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the underlying mechanisms of such effects.

miR-146a-Mediated extracellular matrix protein production in chronic diabetes complications.

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), through transcriptional regulation, modulate several cellular processes. In diabetes, increased extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN) production is known to occur through histone acetylator p300. Here, we investigated the role of miR-146a, an FN-targeting miRNA, on FN production in diabetes and its relationship with p300.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) prevents glucose-induced oxidative stress and associated endothelial abnormalities.

Purpose: Ginseng (Araliaceae), demonstrates widespread biological effects because of its purported antioxidant and other properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of American ginseng root extract on glucose-induced oxidative stress and associated oxidative damage to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods: Following pretreatment with various concentrations of ginseng (alcoholic extract), HUVECs were incubated with various concentrations of d-glucose ranging from 5 to 25mmol/l for 24h.

Ameliorative effects of glycyrrhizin on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

Objectives: Glycyrrhizin is the main water-soluble constituent of the root of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The study investigates the effect of glycyrrhizin on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic changes and associated oxidative stress, including haemoglobin-induced free iron-mediated oxidative reactions.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were grouped as normal control, STZ-induced diabetic control, normal treated with glycyrrhizin, diabetic treated with glycyrrhizin and diabetic treated with a standard anti-hyperglycaemic drug, glibenclamide.

Leptin and endothelin-1 mediated increased extracellular matrix protein production and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in diabetic heart disease.

Background: We investigated the role of leptin and its interaction with endothelin 1 (ET-1) in fibronectin (FN) synthesis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, two characteristic features of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Endothelial cells [human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)] were examined for FN production and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes for hypertrophy, following incubation with glucose, ET-1, leptin and specific blockers. FN, ET-1, leptin and leptin receptors mRNA expression and FN protein were measured.

Action of pelargonidin on hyperglycemia and oxidative damage in diabetic rats: implication for glycation-induced hemoglobin modification.

Glycation-modified hemoglobin in diabetes mellitus has been suggested to be a source of enhanced catalytic iron and free radicals causing pathological complications. The present study aims to verify this idea in experimental diabetes. Pelargonidin, an anthocyanidin, has been tested for its antidiabetic potential with emphasis on its role against pathological oxidative stress including hemoglobin-mediated free radical reactions.

Effect of non-enzymatic glycation on esterase activities of hemoglobin and myoglobin.

Heme proteins--hemoglobin and myoglobin possess esterase activities. Studies with purified hemoglobin from normal individuals and diabetic patients revealed that the esterase activity as measured from hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA) was higher in diabetic condition and increased progressively with extent of the disease. HbA(1c), the major glycated hemoglobin, which increases proportionately with blood glucose level in diabetes mellitus, exhibited more esterase activity than the non-glycated hemoglobin fraction, HbA(0), as demonstrated spectrophotometrically as well as by activity staining.

Effect of nonenzymatic glycation on functional and structural properties of hemoglobin.

HbA(1c), the major glycated hemoglobin increases proportionately with blood glucose concentration in diabetes mellitus. H(2)O(2) promotes more iron release from HbA(1c) than that from nonglycated hemoglobin, HbA(0). This free iron, acting as a Fenton reagent, might produce free radicals and degrade cell constituents.

In vitro nonenzymatic glycation enhances the role of myoglobin as a source of oxidative stress.

Metmyoglobin (Mb) was glycated by glucose in a non-enzymatic in vitro reaction. Amount of iron release from the heme pocket of myoglobin was found to be directly related with the extent of glycation. After in vitro glycation, the unchanged Mb and glycated myoglobin (GMb) were separated by ion exchange (BioRex 70) chromatography, which eliminated free iron from the protein fractions.

Human papillomavirus infection among Indian mothers and their infants.

Objective: Several studies have demonstrated that infants can acquire human papillomavirus (HPV) infection at birth from their mothers. The aim of the present investigation was to determine prevalence of HPV infection among pregnant women and evaluate the extent of perinatal transmission of HPVs to infants.

Methods: The study included 135 pregnant women and their infants.